The Wyoming Cowgirls basketball team traveled to the University of Texas to take on third-seeded UCLA Bruins. Despite a heavy defensive game plan, the UW team lost 69-48.
“We responded well after a rough start,” UW head coach Gerald Mattinson said to the press after the loss. “We didn’t give in or give up and battled until the end, and that is what you want from a basketball program. I hope we learned this season to battle through adversity and end out on top.”
This game represented the second appearance of Wyoming at the NCAA tournament. The first coming back in 2008 where Wyoming fell to Pittsburgh in the first round as well.
The loss to UCLA ended a six-game win streak for Wyoming, which leaves the Cowgirls with a record of 14-10 overall for the season.
“It’s obviously not how we wanted things to end. That being said, it’s a great squad and I think there’s an amazing amount of momentum going forward,” retired sports analyst and avid Cowgirls fan Nicholas Villereail said.
The Bruins saw 43% shooting success for the night. The highest the Cowgirls have seen from their opponents since Colorado State shot for 44% from the field in early February. Wyoming was held to 33% from the field and could only make two 3-pointers in the second half.
UCLA led the entire night, holding a 43-27 advantage by the end of the game.
“We haven’t seen size and athleticism like that this season and it is hard to simulate that in practice,” Mattinson said. “They forced us out of what we wanted to do with their size, but in the end I’m proud of how hard we fought tonight.”
The Cowgirls were led by junior Alba Sanchez Ramos with 15 points and 10 rebounds for her first career double-double. Sophomore McKinley Bradshaw added 13 points and junior Quinn Weidemann added 11 points. Junior Tommi Olson added five rebounds on the night to rank second on the team.
UCLA started the game with a 3-pointer, which was followed shortly by a triple from Sanchez Ramos. The Bruins then went on a run to build a 23-11 lead by the end of the first frame.
The Cowgirls trailed as much as 19 points in the second frame. However, a 7-2 run would see the game settle at 40-26 at the half.
The opening minutes after the half would see a shootout as both teams exchanged three-point shots. The Bruins, however, managed more success in shooting and extended their lead to 20 points. The score 61-41 for the Bruins leading into the final quarter.
UW managed to hold UCLA scoreless for a little over seven minutes of the final quarter. However, the Cowgirls offense was restricted and could not close the gap. With the offensive struggles halting any capitalization, the Cowgirls feel to the Bruins 69-48.
The Cowgirls will return to Laramie with a finished season. A season that saw them win six out of their last seven games and win their first ever Mountain West tournament.
“I wish UCLA the best of luck and I’m very proud of our team and what we have accomplished over the last month,” Mattinson said. “I’m excited for our program moving forward.”
